What is the difference between a national park and national forest?|105891

NP: For the preservation and enjoyment of unique areas. Hence they have trails, interpretive signs, rangers, spectacular scenery or wildlife, fishing, and development in a central area (lodge, info center, shopping).

NF: For the utilization of natural resources. Therefore fishing, hunting, logging, drilling for oil and mining are all allowed subject to licensing and permits. While there are some trails, there is not much development for the sake of tourists.

Within NFs, there can be Wilderness Areas. Non-mechanized extractive uses (fishing, hunting, gold panning) are allowed, unlike in a NP.

A national park is usually set aside for enjoyment of the public, to preserve wilderness areas, etc. Usually hunting and logging are not allowed.

A national forest is set aside to preserve the forest through management. That management usually includes logging by various methods. Hunting is usually legal in the national forest.

The park has perverts in the bathrooms, the forest has tree huggers.

Parks generally have hiking trails, picnic areas, etc
forests are just areas that are sanctioned by the government, but not as human _comfortable_

Parks generally have groomed hiking trails, pay-as-you-enter areas, campsites with hookups, govt. owned lodges. Hunting is usually prohibited.

National forests are just forests owned by the federal govt.

Tame and wild